JJ Smit took three wickets in four balls to rip the heart of the Ireland innings in Windhoek yesterday and set Namibia on the way to a crushing five-wicket victory that decided a closely-fought one-day international series 3-2 in the home side’s favour.

Great bowling by the veteran left-armer? 

Certainly the first ball that swung in to Lorcan Tucker to produce a return catch via an inside edge and pad was a fine delivery but Curtis Campher and George Dockrell who quickly followed their skipper back to the pavilion could feel rightly aggrieved.

Both batsmen, who had played important roles in levelling the series on Friday, were adjudged lbw to balls that clearly pitched outside leg.

Campher had been in superb form throughout the series — making 45, 106 and 66 in his last three innings — while Dockrell’s intelligent contributions have seen off the challenge of Ben Calitz for the No 7 spot.

From 84-3, having battled through the difficult early overs, the Boys in Green found themselves 98-7 when Harry Tector miscued into the covers on 21 to bring his underwhelming series to a close.

Jordan Neill, who looks better with every game, smacked a quick-fire 33 from 25 balls before he too suffered a shocking lbw decision at the same end when he missed an inswinger that was patently going down leg. 

Ireland were bowled out three runs later for 129. 

It was an impossible target to defend, of course, but the visitors battled hard to take five wickets, including a lightning quick run out by Matthew Humphreys who also took 2-48, before Namibia crossed the winning line with 28.4 overs to spare.

“We came in excited about the opportunity with the series on the line but I don't think we quite rocked up from a skill perspective,” Tucker said.

“Obviously that little period with those three wickets swung the momentum of the game in their favour but we have learned a lot on this trip and we have a lot to reflect on going forward.

“Certainly we need to focus on our top order batting, and bowling through the middle period of innings. Overall we need to sharpen up a little bit.”

The Ireland party enjoyed their fortnight in the Namibian capital and will look forward to returning to Windhoek for the World Cup qualifiers in February and March with invaluable knowledge of the conditions they will encounter.